The Great Fire of London was a devastating event that took place in 1666. The fire started on September 2nd in a bakery on Pudding Lane and quickly spread throughout the city. It is estimated that the fire destroyed over 13,000 homes and buildings, leaving thousands of people homeless.
The fire burned for four days before it was finally brought under control. But how did the fire of London end? Let’s take a closer look.
The Efforts to Stop the Fire
As soon as the fire was discovered, efforts were made to put it out. The Lord Mayor of London, Sir Thomas Bloodworth, was woken up and informed about the fire but he refused to take any action. It wasn’t until King Charles II ordered the military to intervene that efforts to stop the fire began in earnest.
Firefighters used various methods to try and contain the blaze, including creating firebreaks by demolishing buildings and using water from the River Thames. However, strong winds made it difficult to control the flames and they continued to spread.
The End of the Fire
The Great Fire of London finally came to an end on September 6th, four days after it had started. There are several factors that contributed to its eventual extinguishment:
1) Change in Wind Direction: On September 5th, the wind direction changed and began blowing in a different direction, away from the center of London. This helped prevent further spread of the flames.
2) Creation of Firebreaks: Demolishing buildings created gaps between them which acted as firebreaks. This stopped or slowed down some areas from being consumed by flames.
3) Rain: A heavy downpour on September 6th helped put out remaining pockets of fires that were still burning.
The Aftermath
The Great Fire of London had a significant impact on the city and its inhabitants. It destroyed a large part of the city, including many important buildings such as St Paul’s Cathedral. Thousands of people were left homeless and without food or shelter.
However, the fire did bring some positive changes. The city was rebuilt with wider streets and buildings made from brick instead of wood, which was more fire-resistant. These new buildings were also built with stricter building codes that required fire-resistant materials.
In conclusion, the Great Fire of London was a catastrophic event that caused immense damage to the city and its inhabitants. However, thanks to the efforts of firefighters and other volunteers, the fire was eventually extinguished. The aftermath led to significant changes in how buildings were constructed in order to prevent future fires from causing such devastation again.